Cheryl-Samantha Owen

The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) is a non-profit organization that implements and supports a diversity of scientific research and educational projects focused on the marine environment. It aims to learn more about the role of marine species, particularly sharks and rays, and their role in maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem. Through this knowledge it hopes to raise awareness of the state of our oceans, educate the public about saving our seas, especially the consequences of removing sharks and rays from the world’s oceans, support natural marine resource preservation and conserve the marine realm.

In today’s conservation climate the majority of marine research funded in Africa is socio-economic and fisheries based. Rarely are scientists given support to focus purely on apex predators and this is where the SOSF plays a vital role. With the global population of sharks surviving at a mere 5% of their level 20 years ago, sharks and their habitat are in desperate need of protection. Knowledge about their movements and habits will aid in their conservation and survival. Internationally, the year 2008 is recognized as being the Year of the Reef. The attention that sharks receive from this publicity should be equaled to that of coral, as the top predators on a reef the presence of sharks is essential in providing reef health and stability.

I am working with the Save Our Seas Foundation on their publicity and public relations. This sees me on the conservation frontline, raising awareness and educating the world about the importance and relevance of marine and shark conservation.